Not long after I got my 855 in Oct 2001, I began to notice something that sound like an air leak through the top of the driver's door seals or window seal, 35mph & higher. Have adjusted the door hinges& door latch, taped over all seams - one at a time until the whole door was taped shut; taped the window & gutter trims. The noise persists. The only time is goes away is after a heavy rain or thorough washing. Seems as though water gets in somewhere to seal something up, but this only "cures" the noise for a day or two at best. The noise does not exist on the passenger side. The car has never been wrecked. The whisper appears about 35 mph, becomes sucking sound at 50, and that's about it. Doesn't really get much louder, but is annoying. Any ideas, experience?? By the way, the window/gutter trim on passenger side is V70 type, driver's side is original.

I got that on my 1997 855 as well but not on my 1995 854 GLT (nor on my previous 1995 854 turbo).

Just like all of you, I inspected everything closely and all the weather stripping all look fine. I did however discover a cracked black plastic clip that holds the rear door weather stripping. It's in about half way down from the top and it's where the front and rear doors meet. I haven't replaced it yet but a few tappings on it seems to reduce the noice down a bit.

Yes, exactly like you explained, mine goes away when it rains too. And yes, it's very annoying.

Good luck.

1994 854 GLT, 204k miles
1997 855, 88k miles

I have that same noise on my 96, so I just checked my weatherstripping and it looks fine. Unless someone can come up with something new, I think it's an unfortunate characteristic of the 850.

I was experiencing the same problem with my 854R and it was getting more and more irritating. When my fiancée pointed out the problem I knew it was time to get it fixed.

Took the car into the dealer:
They found: “Faulty left front window guide”
Replaced with part number 9152451-2
Cost: ??? – Still under warranty!
Results: No more wind noise!

I was told the dirt builds up in the channel and that eventually causes the guide to deform. The service manager recommended periodically cleaning out the track with a Q-tip.


Good luck
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'97 854R

Check the weatherstripping at the top-back edge of the drivers door. There is a "cup" in the stripping that comes loose from the door corner. I have to redo mine about once a month. (I need to go ahead and glue it, but just haven't done it.) Anyway, this shoule solve the problem of the mysterious whispering 850.
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1997 850 T-5 (Chip, exhaust, suspension upgraded)

I noticed the same noise on mine and I think it is noise over the mirror. I swung the mirror in and the noise went away. I haven't found a cure yet and now just don't really notice it anymore. Try it and see if that's it.

I have experienced this same noise on my '96 854R since I took ownership last March. I'm sure its probably just a flaw in the design but I would really like to find a cure for the noise. My 850 is so quiet on the highway except for that dang whisper on the driver's side!!

Duncan Catlett
'96 854R